EU refuses to retreat regarding labelling settlement products

Despite intensive Israeli lobbying, the EU continues to refuse to retreat from labelling products coming from Israeli settlements, Palestinian Sama news agency reported on Tuesday.

EU Foreign Affairs Representative Federica Mogherini said that the EU member states have consensus over labelling settlement products, noting this is not a boycott but a technical issue that gives the right information to consumers.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has issued directives to stop all contact with the EU regarding the political process with the Palestinians, while the Israeli foreign ministry warned that the EU will face obstacles in the implementation of its projects in the Palestinian territories.

A senior Israeli official said that six EU countries initiated the initiative to label the products of the Israeli settlements: Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, France, Luxemburg and Malta.

Each of these countries, the Israeli official said, has contributed to different projects in the Palestinian territories, including the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip.